Can I Eat Coleslaw While Pregnant? Full Guide
Cold-prepared meals, such as coleslaw, potato salad, and others, are one of the most perplexing subjects during pregnancy.
We researched the most recent guidelines for meals like coleslaw and potato salad to check whether they are safe or not because they are consumed in so many different countries.
Coleslaw Salad – What Is It Made Of?
Coleslaw, commonly referred to as coleslaw or slaw, is a tasty salad made out of vegetables and mayonnaise. The basic coleslaw recipe may be modified by adding additional ingredients like raisins and pineapple to create numerous iterations of this delicious salad.
So, Can I Eat Coleslaw When Pregnant?
The answer to this question depends on how safe the ingredients in coleslaw salad are. It’s generally advised against eating coleslaw and other prepared, pre-packaged salads when pregnant. This covers versions bought from stores or marketplaces.
The reason is, Listeria is more prevalent in prepared meals like coleslaw and potato salad because it thrives in settings with high water content, low acidity, and refrigeration.
Another thing to note here is that coleslaw is eaten cold or uncooked, in contrast to other salads, therefore heat cannot destroy the germs. So, it is better to avoid coleslaw.
You can only eat coleslaw salads if they are pasteurized and manufactured with components that are suitable for consumption during pregnancy. When creating mayonnaise-based salad dressing at home or buying it from a shop, always pick mayonnaise produced with pasteurized eggs to reduce the danger of salmonella.
Can Pregnant Women Consume Store-Bought Coleslaw?
In general, pre-prepared and cold meals should be avoided during pregnancy since they are ideal environments for bacterial development. One of the cold salad foods that can’t be heated to destroy the bacteria is coleslaw. Consequently, it is not advised to consume store-bought coleslaw, especially that which comes in huge quantities.
To lower your chance of being ill while pregnant, It is advised against eating salads that have already been cooked and purchased from shops or supermarkets.
Because of how much weaker your immune system is during pregnancy compared to other times, it is best to avoid exposing yourself and your unborn baby to health risks by avoiding store-bought coleslaw during this time.
Can Expectant Women Eat Coleslaw At A Restaurant?
The same care should be taken with restaurant coleslaw as with store-bought coleslaw. This implies that you should ignore your appetite and refrain from ordering coleslaw in a restaurant, even if you have a strong desire to consume it.
KFC coleslaw is a restaurant coleslaw that you should avoid eating while expecting to reduce the chance of health problems.
The coleslaw should not be consumed, even if the mayonnaise was produced with pasteurized eggs. This is because pre-made or packaged varieties of coleslaw have a high moisture level, which is conducive to listeria monocytogenes development.
What About Homemade Coleslaw In Pregnancy?
Fans of coleslaw have a safe choice, though: homemade coleslaw or homemade salads!
It’s okay to eat homemade variations of this salad, but there are a few things to remember. For example, the vegetables in the coleslaw should be well-cleaned, and the mayonnaise has to be pasteurized. Even salads stored in the fridge shouldn’t be kept after preparation for too long.
How much coleslaw is safe to consume while expecting? Ask your doctor. But even when selecting meals that are regarded as safe, you shouldn’t consume excessive amounts of them while expecting. Remember that overindulging can make the greatest choice into the worst!
Reasons Why Pregnant Women Should Avoid Coleslaw
The following are some reasons why pregnant women shouldn’t consume coleslaw:
1. Listeriosis
Coleslaw is a snack that doctors advise against eating when pregnant. The possibility of developing listeriosis is expressly mentioned. Listeriosis is caused by the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes.
If you’re pregnant, your risk of contracting the virus is 14 times higher. When listeriosis is severe, it might harm the placenta and cause a risk of miscarriage.
Listeria may be found in food items like coleslaw. Despite the fact that boiling kills bacteria, coleslaw is often eaten cold, increasing the risk of infection.
2. Mayonnaise Made From Unpasteurized Eggs
If the coleslaw you consumes has mayonnaise made from properly pasteurized eggs, it is safe. However, if the mayonnaise is made from raw eggs, it should never be consumed while pregnant, even in foods like coleslaw.
If the coleslaw you consume contains homemade mayonnaise, you run the risk of contracting Staphylococcus aureus and salmonella infections. Both you and your unborn baby run the danger of having their health compromised by these illnesses.
3. Unsafe Storage
At the counters of supermarkets, you could notice huge open coleslaw tubs. Similar to this, coleslaw is typically served at buffets and barbecues in open bowls.
Heat and exposure to air increase the risk of infection with listeria or other dangerous germs. So, you should never eat coleslaw that has been exposed to the air or that was taken from a larger container.
Alternatives to Coleslaw when Pregnant
Here are some options you might want to try if you don’t believe you can stop eating coleslaw and salads while you’re pregnant.
It is crucial to keep in mind that pregnancy-safe salad ingredients are still required, and you should exercise caution when using items like mayonnaise and eggs.
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Green Bean Slaw
Haricots, red peppers, carrots, and parsnips are used in this light and crisp dish of green bean slaw.
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Lemon Brussel Sprout Coleslaw
Brussels sprouts are used in this dish, which calls for shredding them in a food processor. Lemon juice, fruit juice, and sunflower seeds are added as a garnish.
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Crunchy Broccoli Slaw
The frequently disregarded broccoli stems are used in this dish. These are ideal in coleslaw with sunflower seeds and carrots when julienned.
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Fennel and Peach
This sweet and salty summer slaw is wonderful for a picnic or as a tasty addition to burgers and sandwiches.
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Spicy Pickled Slaw
This spicy slaw goes well with fried chicken, hot dogs, hamburgers, and other foods. It also makes a terrific side dish for hot dogs.
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Beet Slaw, Raw
Arugula, scallions, raw, diced beets, and lemon juice are the main ingredients in this super nutritious salad. Jalapenos can be added for an additional kick.
Final Thoughts
Precooked coleslaw is not considered safe for pregnant women since it is frequently refrigerated, where Listeria bacteria that cause listeriosis can develop. Another issue with prepackaged coleslaw is that it is impossible to identify whether the fresh vegetables included in the salad were washed before use.
Washing all vegetables before eating them is advised by the American Pregnancy Association to lower the risk of toxoplasmosis. Raw eggs are another problem with coleslaw. Pregnant women should avoid eating raw eggs since they may contain salmonella.
Homemade mayonnaise that hasn’t been pasteurized might be used in some coleslaw recipes. In light of everything, it is therefore safe for expectant mothers to abstain from eating coleslaw.
References
https://www.drsegals.com/blogs/news/is-coleslaw-good-for-you